California judge grants mental health diversion to three defendants accused of violent crimes

The program allows defendants to avoid conviction and jail time if they complete mental health treatment. Prosecutors objected in each case.

Cases granted diversion In February 2025, Kim placed Courtney Perrone into diversion despite objections from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Perrone had been arrested in August 2024 and charged with attempting to kidnap an 8-year-old girl in Santa Monica.

She was last seen on May 17 near the University of Southern California campus and remains missing. In 2024, Kim admitted Lisa Heflin into the program after Heflin was accused of leading police on a high-speed chase that ended in a wrong-way crash on the 405 Freeway.

Prosecutors had opposed the placement. In March 2025, Kim granted diversion to Job Taylor, who faced charges including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon after three attacks in Santa Monica. Prosecutors appealed. California’s Second District Court of Appeal twice ruled against the diversion, finding in March 2026 that the trial court abused its discretion.

Judge’s stated approach Kim told the Daily Journal in 2023 that she does not want to put anyone in jail and does not view incarceration as the ideal outcome. She previously worked as a prosecutor for roughly 15 years. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Perrone’s case illustrates a pattern of placements that bypass accountability for defendants with violent histories.

Court records show Kim has granted diversion to at least nine violent felons in the last three years.